Voting is an important civic duty. Whether you are new to Delaware, or just new to voting, here is what you need to know about registering to vote, finding your polling place, voting absentee, finding your local elected officials, reporting election complaints and more.
Many Delawareans register to vote at the DMV when they are getting their license, but you can always register online, by mail, or in person. Just take note of upcoming deadlines so you can register in time before the next election. Make sure you exercise your right to vote!
The Department of Elections offers various ways to apply for an absentee ballot: mail, email, fax, or online.
Online:
Mail, fax, or email:
Either using the paper application or downloading the form Request for an Absentee Ballot for Primary, General and/or Special Elections
There are three ways to find your polling place
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general, special, and primary elections.
You are not required to show identification to vote. Poll workers will ask you to present an ID to speed up the check-in process. If you do not show ID, you must fill out a form before you can vote.
Examples of acceptable IDs:
Delaware voting code prohibits campaigning within 50 feet of any polling place entrance that voters use. This includes supporting or opposing a candidate, a political party, or any political issue in any way (i.e. wearing apparel, hats, buttons, etc. chanting, holding signs).
Since May 14, 2019, Delaware has voted on the ExpressVote XL. Watch a demonstration of the ExpressVote XL voting machine in this video.
A provisional ballot may be used when a voter is attempting to vote in the Election District in which the voter is registered, but the voter's name does not appear on the poll list. Provisional Ballots are only used in elections for Federal offices, such as President, Vice President, Senate, and Representative in Congress. Provisional Ballots cannot be used for offices in local elections.
To qualify for use of a Provisional Ballot, the voter must be attempting to vote in the Election District in which they are registered to vote and be eligible to vote in Federal Elections.
Delaware is committed to providing its citizens with:
Read the Voting in Delaware Guide for Citizens with Disabilities.
Use this tool to find your State Representative or State Senator.
If you encountered an issue regarding any topic covered by Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 you may issue a formal complaint.
The complaint must be submitted to the Office of State Election Commissioner or your county Department of Election. The complaint must be:
You will be notified when your complaint is received. The State Election Commissioner will assign someone to investigate the issue. Any violations found will be reported to the State Election Commissioner along with a recommended course of action to correct the violation. If no violations are discovered, the complaint will be dismissed.
For more information on filing a complaint, visit Delaware's Elections website.
The Delaware Department of Justice, state and local law enforcement, and the Department of Elections strictly enforces Delaware’s voter intimidation laws in order to ensure that Delawareans are able to vote safely, fairly, and peacefully.
Voters who are concerned about a perceived threat to their safety should call 911; voters who are concerned about any other problem can contact the Department of Elections’ voter hotline at (302) 739-4277.
The DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust (DCRPT) has provided law enforcement with written guidance listing possible Title 11 and Title 15 offenses that could be encountered on Election Day. DOJ inspectors in all three counties will staff the hotline for law enforcement to contact in the event of illegal activity
Results and Statistics for the most recent election can be found on the Elections website.
For more information about voting in Delaware visit the Department of Elections website.
To register to vote in Delaware, you can register:
Online
By Mail:
In Person (various locations):
The following locations offered voter registration services before COVID-19. Many of these locations still offer these services however they are appointment only. Please call ahead to confirm availability and to schedule an appointment.
You can register to vote:
You can update your voter registration through the Voter Portal.
You can update your voter record:
You can change your political party affiliation:
Submit this online request.
OR
Complete this form and submit it to the Department of Elections in your county.
Submit this online request.
OR
Complete this form and submit it to the Department of Elections in your county.